Double-ended illuminated dental tool with replaceable attachments

ABSTRACT

An example embodiment of a dental tool includes a main body portion having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, wherein the first end and the second end define respective reduced diameter portions, two or more tool attachments, each tool attachment comprising a working portion and a base portion, the base portion configured to be removably coupled to either of the reduced-diameter portions of the main body portion so as to secure the tool attachment to the main body portion, and a light source, disposed within the main body portion, arranged so as to illuminate the working portion of one of the tool attachments when the one of the tool attachments is coupled to the first end of the main body portion and the light source is electrically coupled to a power source.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. application No.62/648,901, filed Mar. 27, 2018, which application is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to devices for oral care, includingmanual care in conjunction with orthodontia. The devices of the presentdisclosure may also find use for a user without orthodontia.

Orthodontic treatments, such as braces, retainers, and the like, may bedifficult for a user (e.g., wearer of the treatment) to clean andmaintain, and may make it difficult for a user to clean his or herteeth. Even in the absence of orthodontia, existing tools for spotcleaning a user's teeth (e.g., tools other than toothbrushes) may not besufficiently reusable or of sufficient quality to fulfill a user'sneeds.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment of a dental tool includes a main body portionhaving a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, whereinthe first end and the second end define respective reduced diameterportions, two or more tool attachments, each tool attachment comprisinga working portion and a base portion, the base portion configured to beremovably coupled to either of the reduced-diameter portions of the mainbody portion so as to secure the tool attachment to the main bodyportion, and a light source, disposed within the main body portion,arranged so as to illuminate the working portion of one of the toolattachments when the one of the tool attachments is coupled to the firstend of the main body portion and the light source is electricallycoupled to a power source.

In some embodiments, the respective base portion of each of the two ormore tool attachments defines an aperture, and one of thereduced-diameter portions of the main body portion extends through theaperture of any one of the tool attachments when the one of the toolattachments is coupled to the main body portion.

In some embodiments, the main body portion defines a longitudinal axis,and the longitudinal axis extends through the aperture of any one of thetool attachments when the one of the tool attachments is coupled to themain body portion.

In some embodiments, the light source projects light from thereduced-diameter portion of the first end.

In some embodiments, the dental tool includes a light-transmissive coverdisposed at the reduced-diameter portion of the first end, wherein thelight source and the light-transmissive cover are arranged such that thelight source emits light through the light-transmissive cover, whereinthe light-transmissive cover is flush with a surface of the base portionof any one of the tool attachments when the one of the tool attachmentsis coupled to the main body portion.

In some embodiments, an outer diameter of the base portion of any one ofthe tool attachments is substantially the same as an outer diameter ofthe main body portion that is immediately longitudinally adjacent to thebase portion when the one of the tool attachments is coupled to the mainbody portion.

In some embodiments, the dental tool includes a battery disposed withinthe main body portion, and a switch disposed on or in the main bodyportion, the switch configured to selectively couple the light source tothe battery responsive to user actuation of the switch.

In some embodiments, the main body portion is substantially cylindricalalong its entire longitudinal length.

In some embodiments, the light source is a first light source, and thedental tool further includes a second light source, disposed within themain body portion, arranged so as to illuminate the working portion ofone of the tool attachments when the one of the tool attachments iscoupled to the second end of the main body portion and the second lightsource is electrically coupled to a power source.

In some embodiments, the first light source projects light at a firstangle relative to a longitudinal axis of the main body portion, thesecond light source projects light at a second angle relative to thelongitudinal axis, and the first angle has substantially the sameabsolute value as the second angle.

In some embodiments, the first light source is arranged to project lightin a first direction, the second light source is arranged to projectlight in a second direction, and the first direction is radiallyopposite the second direction.

In some embodiments, the dental tool further comprises a batterydisposed within the main body portion, a first switch disposed on or inthe main body portion, the switch configured to selectively couple thefirst light source to the battery responsive to user actuation of thefirst switch, and a second switch disposed on or in the main bodyportion, the second switch configured to selectively couple the secondlight source to the battery responsive to user actuation of the secondswitch, wherein the second switch is radially opposite the first switch.

In some embodiments, the two or more tool attachments comprise two ormore of a bristle brush tool attachment, an orthodontic brush toolattachment, a scaler tool attachment, a scaler with mirror toolattachment, a scraper tool attachment, a scraper with mirror toolattachment, a mirror tool attachment, or an interproximal brush toolattachment.

In some embodiments, the two or more tool attachments comprise anorthodontic brush tool attachment comprising two sets of bristles thatare laterally separated from each other, wherein bristles within eachset increase in length from an outer later edge of the orthodontic brushtool attachment to an inner lateral portion of the orthodontic brushtool attachment.

In some embodiments, the two or more tool attachments comprise a scalertool attachment, the scaler tool attachment comprising a removableworking tip that is insertable into a receiving formation of a neck ofthe scaler tool attachment, the removable working tip comprising alateral protrusion, wherein the receiving formation defines two or morerecesses configured to receive the lateral protrusion of the workingtip, whereby the removable working tip may be coupled in two or morepositions relative to the neck.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a double-endeddental tool with attached tools.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are front and side views, respectively, of the exampledouble-ended dental tool of FIG. 1, without attached tools.

FIG. 4 is a partially-exploded view of the example double-ended dentaltool of FIG. 1, without attached tools.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the example double-ended dental toolof FIG. 1, with attached tools.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are front and perspective views, respectively, of anexample embodiment of a bristle brush tool attachment that may find usewith a double-ended dental tool according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are front and perspective views, respectively, of anexample embodiment of an orthodontic brush tool attachment that may finduse with a double-ended dental tool according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are front and perspective views, respectively, of anexample embodiment of a scaler tool attachment that may find use with adouble-ended dental tool according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are front and perspective views, respectively, of anexample embodiment of a scaler with mirror tool attachment that may finduse with a double-ended dental tool according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are front and perspective views, respectively, of anexample embodiment of a scraper tool attachment that may find use with adouble-ended dental tool according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are front and perspective views, respectively, of anexample embodiment of a scraper with mirror tool attachment that mayfind use with a double-ended dental tool according to the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are front and perspective views, respectively, of anexample embodiment of a mirror tool attachment that may find use with adouble-ended dental tool according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a lower perspective view of the example mirror toolattachment of FIGS. 12A and 12B.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the example orthodontic brush tool attachmentof FIGS. 7A and 7B.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the example scaler tool attachmentof FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are perspective views of a portion of an exampleembodiment of a scraper tool attachment that may find use with adouble-ended dental tool according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a portion of the example scraper toolattachment of FIGS. 16A and 16B.

FIG. 18 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of theexample scraper tool attachment of FIGS. 16A and 16B.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are front and perspective views, respectively, of anexample embodiment of an interproximal brush tool attachment that mayfind use with a double-ended dental tool according to the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The instant disclosure provides a double-ended dental tool for oralcare, including for cleaning a user's teeth and orthodontic treatments.The tool may include opposed ends, with one or both of the ends havingremovable and replaceable tool attachments, including one or morescrapers, mirrors, scalers, brushes, and the like. The tool attachmentsmay be interchangeable, such that a user may arrange the attachmentconfiguration that the user prefers (e.g., a scraper and a scaler, or ascaler and a mirror, or a mirror and a brush, etc.). The toolattachments may also be durable, such that each attachment may be usedby a user numerous times before requiring replacement. In addition, thetool may include a light source at one or both ends for illuminatingattached tools.

FIGS. 1-5 are various views of an example embodiment of a double-endeddental tool 10. FIGS. 1 and 5 illustrate the double-ended tool 10 withattachments. In contrast, FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 illustrate the double-endedtool 10 without attachments. The double-ended tool 10 may include a mainbody portion 12, a first longitudinal end 14 ₁, and a secondlongitudinal end 14 ₂. A first attachment 16 ₁ may be removably coupledto the main body 12 at the first end 14 ₁, and a second attachment 16 ₂may be removably coupled to the second end 14 ₂. When attached, thefirst tool 16 ₁, or a portion thereof, may extend at an angle from themain body portion 12, and the second tool 16 ₂ may extend at theopposite angle.

The main body portion 12 may include an outer cylindrical portion 18 andan inner cylindrical portion 20 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) that isdisposed radially inward of the outer cylindrical portion 18. The outercylindrical portion may define a central longitudinal axis A(illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3). References in this disclosure tolongitudinal or radial relationships are with reference to directionsdefined by the axis A. The main body portion 12 may have an outerprofile that is substantially cylindrical along the entire longitudinallength of the main body portion 12. The main body portion 12 may furtherinclude switch portions 22 ₁, 22 ₂ on radially opposite sides of themain body portion 12 and at opposite longitudinal ends 14 ₁, 14 ₂ of themain body portion 12. The switch portions 22 may include respectivebuttons 24 ₁, 24 ₂, and switch surfaces 26 ₁, 26 ₂. Each button 24 mayoperate a respective light source (as will be described below).

Although the switch portions 22 are illustrated and described herein asincluding buttons 24, other switch types may find use in the tool 10.For example, slider switches, twist-style switches, or any otherappropriate type of switches may be included in the tool 10 foractuation by the user to operate light sources of the tool 10.

Each end 14 ₁, 14 ₂ of the main body portion 12 may include a respectivereduced-diameter portion 28 ₁, 28 ₂. In an embodiment, thereduced-diameter portion is a portion of the outer cylindrical portion18, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5.

The attachments 16 may couple with the reduced-diameter portions 28 soas to couple the attachments with the main body portion 12. In anembodiment, each reduced diameter portion 28 ₁, 28 ₂ may include amating formation 30 ₁, 30 ₂ which may mate with a counterpart formationon an attachment 16 (as will be described below). In an embodiment, eachmating formation 30 may be a protrusion on the reduced-diameter portion28.

The double-ended tool 10 may include one or more light sources 32 ₁, 32₂ (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) for selectively illuminating the attachments16 ₁, 16 ₂. The light sources 32 ₁, 32 ₂ may be disposed at the firstend 14 ₁ and the second end 14 ₂, respectively. The light sources 32 maybe disposed within the main body portion 12. The light sources 32 may beor may include light-emitting diodes (LEDs), in an embodiment. In otherembodiments, the light sources 32 may be or may include alternate typesof light sources, such as halogen, fluorescent, or another light sourcetype. In some embodiments, one or both of the light sources may emitlight in the visible spectrum when coupled with a power source. In anembodiment, one or both of the light sources 32 may emit ultravioletlight when coupled with a power source. The light sources 32 may bearranged so as to illuminate the working portion of a tool attachmentwhen the tool attachment is coupled to the main body portion 12 and thelight source is electrically coupled to a power source.

The light sources 32 ₁, 32 ₂ may be electrically coupled with respectiveelectrical switches 34 ₁, 34 ₂ which may be in physical contact with thebuttons 24 i, 24 ₂ and which may further be electrically coupled with apower source such that, when a user actuates a button 24, the electricalswitch 34 electrically couples a respective light source 32 to, orelectrically decouples a respective light source from, the power source(e.g., via one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs), electricalcontacts, and/or other appropriate electrical coupling devices). Thepower source may be a battery 36 (shown in FIG. 5), in some embodiments.In the example of FIGS. 4 and 5, the first button 24 ₁ actuates thefirst electrical switch 34 ₁. When actuated, the first electrical switch34 ₁ couples the first light source 32 ₁ to, or decouples the firstlight source 32 ₁ from, the battery 36. Similarly, the second button 24₂ actuates the second electrical switch 34 ₂. When actuated, the secondelectrical switch 34 ₂ couples the second light source 32 ₂ to, ordecouples the second light source 32 ₂ from, the battery 36.

The double-ended tool 10 may further include a respective light housing38 ₁, 38 ₂ associated with each light source 32 ₁, 32 ₂. Each lighthousing 38 may be disposed radially about its respective light source32. Each light housing 38 may be disposed within the main body portion12, radially-inward from the outer body portion 18. The light housing 38may be waterproof when properly disposed within the main body portion12. Accordingly, each light housing 38 may be coupled with a gasket orother sealing device around the periphery of the light housing 38 so asto prevent ingress of fluid into the main body portion 12. The main bodyportion 12 may be fluid-tight, in embodiments, to prevent exposure ofelectrical components within the main body portion 12 to liquid. Fluidtight construction may be provided by, for example, tightness of fitbetween and among cylindrical portions 18, 20 of the main body portion,battery housings, and light covers (described below), as well as by oneor more gaskets or other sealing devices as described herein.

Each light housing 38 ₁, 38 ₂ may include a respectivelight-transmissive cover 40 ₁, 40 ₂ that permits light from a respectivelight source 32, such that the light source 32 emits light through thelight-transmissive cover 40 to illuminate an attachment 16. Alight-transmissive cover may comprise, for example, acrylic material, inembodiments. Each light-transmissive cover 40 may be disposed at alongitudinal end of the main body portion 12, such that light is emittedfrom a longitudinal end of the main body portion 12 when a light source32 is coupled with the power source. Further, each light-transmissivecover 40 may be provided within a reduced-diameter portion 28 of themain body portion 12, such that a light source 32 projects light fromthe reduced-diameter portions of the main body portion 12. Each lightcover 40 ₁, 40 ₂ and light source 32 ₁, 32 ₂ may be oriented so that anattachment is illuminated by the light source 32. For example, the lightcover 40 may be angled at between 30 and 60 degrees relative to thelongitudinal axis A, in some embodiments. The light cover 40 may beangled at between 35 and 55 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis A,in some embodiments. The light cover 40 may be angled at between 40 and50 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis A, in some embodiments. Thelight cover 40 may be angled at approximately 45 degrees relative to thelongitudinal axis A, in some embodiments. The light covers 40 i, 40 ₂may be angled in opposite directions from the axis A, with the sameabsolute value of the angle, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, in someembodiments. In other words, the light covers 40 may be arranged onradially-opposite sides of the main body portion 12, in embodiments, asillustrated in FIGS. 1-5. In an embodiment, a light source 32 mayproject light at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis A that isthe same as the angle between the axis A and the light cover 40associated with that light source 32.

Each light housing 38 may include, at its longitudinal end, areduced-diameter portion that is radially separated from areduced-diameter portion of the outer cylindrical portion 18 so as todefine an annular space therebetween. As will be described below, anattachment 16 may interact with the annular space between thereduced-diameter portion of the light housing 38 and thereduced-diameter portion 28 of the outer cylindrical portion 18 so as tosecure the attachment 16 to the main body portion 12.

The outer cylindrical portion 18 may comprise a thermoplastic polymer,such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, for example only, in someembodiments. In other embodiments, the outer cylindrical portion 18 maycomprise metal or another rigid material.

The switch portions 22 may comprise a thermoplastic elastomer,thermoplastic polyurethane, and/or other material. The switch portions22 may comprise a material that is softer and/or tackier than thematerials comprising the outer cylindrical portion 18, in someembodiments.

FIGS. 6A-12A and 6B-12B illustrate various attachments that may find usewith the main body portion 12.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are front and perspective views, respectively, of anexample embodiment of a bristle brush tool attachment 60 that may finduse with a double-ended dental tool according to the present disclosure.The bristle brush tool attachment 60 may include a plurality ofbristles. The bristles may be of approximately equal length, in someembodiments. In other embodiments, the bristles may be of differentlengths, such that the end of the brush has a particular contour orangle. For example, the bristles may be of different lengths such thatthe brush angles from a proximal end to a distal end (where “proximal”refers to a portion or direction that is towards to the user's hand whenthe tool 10 is in use, and “distal” refers to a portion or directionthat is into the user's oral cavity when the tool 10 is in use), withthe distal bristles longer than the proximal bristles, for example.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are front and perspective views, respectively, of anexample embodiment of an orthodontic brush tool attachment 62 that mayfind use with a double-ended dental tool according to the presentdisclosure. FIG. 14 is a top view of the example orthodontic brush toolattachment 62. The working portion 76 of the orthodontic brush toolattachment 62 may include two sets of bristles 63 ₁, 63 ₂, in anembodiment. The two sets of bristles 63 ₁, 63 ₂ may be laterallyseparated from each other so as to permit the two sets of bristles 63 ₁,63 ₂ to clean separate portions of orthodontia simultaneously, forexample. Each set of bristles 63 ₁, 63 ₂ may increase in length from itsouter later edge to its inner lateral portion, as illustrated in FIG.14. That is, inwardly-disposed bristles may be longer than moreoutwardly-disposed bristles, in some embodiments. As a result, each setof bristles 63 ₁, 63 ₂ may substantially form a wedge shape, with thethicker part of the wedge inward of the thinner part of the wedge. Inaddition, as shown in FIG. 7B, each set of bristles 63 ₁, 63 ₂ mayincrease in length from a proximal-most portion to a longitudinalmidpoint, then decrease in length from the longitudinal midpoint to adistal-most portion.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are front and perspective views, respectively, of anexample embodiment of a scaler tool attachment 64 that may find use witha double-ended dental tool according to the present disclosure. FIG. 15is a cross-sectional view of the example scalar tool attachment 64. Thescaler tool attachment 64 may include a scaler tip comprising a polymermaterial or other appropriate material. The scaler tip may include apointed tip, in an embodiment. The scaler tip may further include aconcave inner portion below the pointed tip, and two reduced-thicknessouter portions below the pointed tip, in an embodiment. Accordingly, thescaler tip may gradually reduce in thickness towards the pointed tip, inan embodiment.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are front and perspective views, respectively, of anexample embodiment of a scaler with mirror tool attachment 66 that mayfind use with a double-ended dental tool according to the presentdisclosure. The scaler with mirror tool attachment 66 may besubstantially the same as the attachment 16 ₂ illustrated in FIGS. 1 and5. The scaler with mirror tool attachment 66 may include a mirror havinga magnification of between 2.5× and 5×, in an embodiment. The scalerwith mirror tool attachment 66 may further include a scaler tipcomprising a polymer material or other appropriate material. The scalertip may include a pointed tip, in an embodiment. The scaler tip mayfurther include a concave inner portion below the pointed tip, and tworeduced-thickness outer portions below the pointed tip, in anembodiment. Accordingly, the scaler tip may gradually reduce inthickness towards the pointed tip, in an embodiment.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are front and perspective views, respectively, of anexample embodiment of a scraper tool attachment 68 that may find usewith a double-ended dental tool according to the present disclosure. Thescraper tool attachment 68 may comprise a polymer material or otherappropriate material. The scraper may include a flattened, thin edge onits distal end. The flattened edge may be configured for scraping auser's teeth, in an embodiment. The scraper may include a curved portionleading to the flattened edge, in an embodiment. The scraper maygradually reduce in thickness from proximal end to distal end, in someembodiments.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are front and perspective views, respectively, of anexample embodiment of a scraper with mirror tool attachment 70 that mayfind use with a double-ended dental tool according to the presentdisclosure. The scraper and mirror features of the scraper with mirrortool attachment 70 may be substantially similar to the scaper and mirrorfeatures otherwise described in this disclosure.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 13 are front, perspective, and perspective views,respectively, of an example embodiment of a mirror tool attachment 72that may find use with a double-ended dental tool according to thepresent disclosure. The mirror feature of the mirror tool attachment 72may be substantially similar to the mirror features otherwise describedin this disclosure.

FIGS. 16A-18 illustrate portions of an example embodiment of a scrapertool attachment 84 that may find use with a double-ended dental tool 10according to the present disclosure. The scraper tool attachment 84 maybe configured to permit selective rotation of the working element—thatis, the scraping tip—to enable a wide variety of uses (e.g., to accessdifferent portions of a user's oral cavity with the working tip of thescraper in a comfortable position). Except as described differentlyherein, the scraper tool attachment 84 may include the features of thescraper tool attachment 68.

The scraper tool attachment 84 may include a removable working tip 86which includes a lateral protrusion 88. FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 18illustrate the working tip 86; FIG. 17 omits the working tip 86 forclarity of illustration of other features. The removable working tip 86may be insertable into (and thus mechanically coupled with) a neck 90.As shown in FIG. 17, the neck 90 may define a receiving formation 92 toreceive the working tip 86. The receiving formation 92 may include oneor more recesses 94 configured to receive the lateral protrusion 88 ofthe working tip 86. Three such recesses 94 ₁, 94 ₂, 94 ₃ are illustratedin the embodiment of FIGS. 16A-18. The recesses may be disposed at90-degree offsets with respect to one another, in an embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 17. In FIGS. 16A and 18, the working tip 86 isinserted such that the lateral protrusion 88 is disposed in recess 94 ₂.In FIG. 16B, the working tip 86 is inserted such that the lateralprotrusion 88 is disposed in recess 94 ₃. As a result, the working tip86 is rotated 90 degrees in FIG. 16B relative to FIGS. 16A and 18.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are front and perspective views, respectively, of anexample embodiment of an interproximal brush tool attachment 90 that mayfind use with a double-ended dental tool according to the presentdisclosure. The interproximal brush tool attachment 90 may include a setof bristles that taper from center to edge in all lateral directions.Accordingly, the center of the bristle set includes the longestbristles, and the edges of the bristle set includes the shortestbristles. This interproximal brush tool attachment 90 may beparticularly well-suited for cleaning between the user's teeth in thespace where the gum and teeth meet.

Any of the attachments 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, or otherappropriate attachment, may find use as an attachment 14 ₁, 14 ₂ withthe main body portion 12. The attachments 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72,84, 90 may be interchangeable used on either end 14 ₁, 14 ₂ of the mainbody portion 12, in embodiments.

Each attachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90 may include a baseportion 74, a working portion 76, and a neck 78 that extends from thebase portion 74 to the working portion 76. The respective workingportion 76 of each attachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90 mayinclude one or more components for observing or treating a user's oralcavity. For example, the working portion 76 of the bristle brush toolattachment 60 comprises a plurality of soft bristles for brushing, theworking portion 76 of the orthodontic brush tool attachment 62 includestwo sets of stiff bristles separated and shaped so as to cleanorthodontia, the working portion 76 of the scaler tool attachment 64includes a stiff, pointed working tip for cleaning between teeth and atthe interface of teeth and gums, and so on.

The base portion 74 may define a longitudinal aperture 80. As shown inFIGS. 5, 13, and 15, an inner surface of the base portion 74 may includea receiving formation 82 or other mating structure that is complementarywith a mating structure on the main body portion 12, such as theprotrusion 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the base portion 74—and thus theattachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90—may be coupled to the mainbody portion 12 by inserting the base portion 74 over the longitudinalend of the main body portion 12 such that at least a portion of thereduced-diameter portion 28 of the main body portion 12 (e.g., the lighthousing 38) extends into and at least partially through the longitudinalaperture 80 of the base portion 74. The base portion 74 may be securedto the main body portion by coupling of the receiving formation 82 withthe protrusion 30 (e.g., a snap-fit), as well as by friction of contactbetween the base portion 74 and the outer cylindrical portion 18, andbetween the base portion 74 and the light housing 38. As noted above,the outer cylindrical portion 18 and the light housing 38 may be spacedapart from one another so as to define an annular space, and the baseportion 74 may insert into that annular space so as to be held byfriction with both the outer cylindrical portion 18 and the lighthousing 38. When an attachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90 iscoupled with the main body portion 12, the longitudinal axis A mayextend through the aperture 80.

In addition to providing a coupling means and a means by which a lightsource 32 may project light onto a working portion 76 of the attachments60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90, the aperture 80 may additionallyserve as a safety precaution. Although the attachments 60, 62, 64, 66,68, 70, 72, 84, 90 include robust features for ensuring a secureconnection between the attachments 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90and the main body portion, in the unlikely event that an attachment 60,62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90 becomes inadvertently dislodged from themain body portion 12 and is partially swallowed by a user, the aperture80 will allow the passage of air so as to prevent choking by the user.

When an attachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90 is coupled withthe main body portion 12, the attachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84,90 may be substantially radially flush with the main body portion 12, insome embodiments. That is, an outer diameter of the base portion 74 maybe substantially the same as an outer diameter of the main body portionthat is immediately longitudinally adjacent to the base portion 74, suchthat the base portion 74 of the attachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72,84, 90 may maintain the outer profile of the main body portion 12, asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5.

When an attachment 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90 is coupled withthe main body portion 12, the distal surface of the base portion 74 maybe substantially flush with the light-transmissive cover 40, in someembodiments. That is, the base portion 74 and the light-transmissivecover 40 may appear to collectively define a substantially flat surface,as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5.

The base portion 74, neck portion 78, and one or more portions of theworking portion 76 may comprise a monolithic body of material, inembodiments. That material may be, for example, a polypropylene materialor other polymer.

The tool 10 and attachments 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90 mayprovide many functional advantages. First, each of the attachments 60,62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 84, 90 may effectively clean a user's teeth, aportion thereof, or an orthodontic treatment, and/or allow the user toview the user's oral cavity. Second, the attachments 60, 62, 64, 66, 68,70, 72, 84, 90 may be selectively couplable with the main body portion12, thus allowing a user to customize a personal tool 10 and to use manydifferent attachments with a single main body portion 12. Third, a widevariety of attachments may be available, in embodiments, furtherenhancing the customizability of the tool 10. Fourth, the tools that maybe available for the scaler 10 may be sufficiently durable that a usercan use each tool numerous times before the tool requires replacement.Fifth, the ends of the main body portion may be curved in oppositedirections, such that the tools extends in opposite directions from themain body portion, thereby enabling the user to quickly and easily flipthe scaler in his or her hand to use the opposite end of the scaler 10(e.g., the tool on the opposite end).

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presentembodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishingits attendant advantages. Further, references throughout thespecification to “the invention” are nonlimiting, and it should be notedthat claim limitations presented herein are not meant to describe theinvention as a whole. Moreover, the invention illustratively disclosedherein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which isnot specifically disclosed herein.

While this disclosure has described certain embodiments, it will beunderstood that the claims are not intended to be limited to theseembodiments except as explicitly recited in the claims. On the contrary,the instant disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modificationsand equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. Furthermore, in the detailed description of the presentdisclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it willbe obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that systems and methodsconsistent with this disclosure may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components,and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarilyobscure various aspects of the present disclosure.

1. A dental tool comprising: a main body portion having a firstlongitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, wherein the first endand the second end define respective reduced diameter portions; two ormore tool attachments, each tool attachment comprising a working portionand a base portion, the base portion configured to be removably coupledto either of the reduced-diameter portions of the main body portion soas to secure the tool attachment to the main body portion; and a lightsource, disposed within the main body portion, arranged so as toilluminate the working portion of one of the tool attachments when theone of the tool attachments is coupled to the first end of the main bodyportion and the light source is electrically coupled to a power source;wherein: the respective base portion of each of the two or more toolattachments defines an aperture; and a portion of the main body portionextends through the aperture of any one of the tool attachments when theone of the tool attachments is coupled to the main body portion. 2.(canceled)
 3. The dental tool of claim 1, wherein: the main body portiondefines a longitudinal axis; and the longitudinal axis extends throughthe aperture of any one of the tool attachments when the one of the toolattachments is coupled to the main body portion.
 4. The dental tool ofclaim 1, wherein the light source projects light from thereduced-diameter portion of the first end.
 5. A dental tool comprising:a main body portion having a first longitudinal end and a secondlongitudinal end, wherein the first end and the second end definerespective reduced diameter portions; two or more tool attachments, eachtool attachment comprising a working portion and a base portion, thebase portion configured to be removably coupled to either of thereduced-diameter portions of the main body portion so as to secure thetool attachment to the main body portion; and a light source, disposedwithin the main body portion, arranged so as to illuminate the workingportion of one of the tool attachments when the one of the toolattachments is coupled to the first end of the main body portion and thelight source is electrically coupled to a power source; and alight-transmissive cover disposed at the reduced-diameter portion of thefirst end, wherein the light source and the light-transmissive cover arearranged such that the light source emits light through thelight-transmissive cover; wherein the light-transmissive cover is flushwith a surface of the base portion of any one of the tool attachmentswhen the one of the tool attachments is coupled to the main bodyportion; wherein the light source projects light from thereduced-diameter portion of the first end.
 6. The dental tool of claim1, wherein an outer diameter of the base portion of any one of the toolattachments is substantially the same as an outer diameter of the mainbody portion that is immediately longitudinally adjacent to the baseportion when the one of the tool attachments is coupled to the main bodyportion.
 7. The dental tool of claim 1, further comprising: a batterydisposed within the main body portion; and a switch disposed on or inthe main body portion, the switch configured to selectively couple thelight source to the battery responsive to user actuation of the switch.8. The dental tool of claim 1, wherein the main body portion issubstantially cylindrical along its entire longitudinal length.
 9. Thedental tool of claim 1, wherein the light source is a first lightsource, further comprising: a second light source, disposed within themain body portion, arranged so as to illuminate the working portion ofone of the tool attachments when the one of the tool attachments iscoupled to the second end of the main body portion and the second lightsource is electrically coupled to a power source.
 10. The dental tool ofclaim 9, wherein: the first light source projects light at a first anglerelative to a longitudinal axis of the main body portion; the secondlight source projects light at a second angle relative to thelongitudinal axis; and the first angle has substantially the sameabsolute value as the second angle.
 11. The dental tool of claim 9,wherein the first light source is arranged to project light in a firstdirection, the second light source is arranged to project light in asecond direction, and the first direction is radially opposite thesecond direction.
 12. The dental tool of claim 9, further comprising: abattery disposed within the main body portion; a first switch disposedon or in the main body portion, the switch configured to selectivelycouple the first light source to the battery responsive to useractuation of the first switch; and a second switch disposed on or in themain body portion, the second switch configured to selectively couplethe second light source to the battery responsive to user actuation ofthe second switch; wherein the second switch is radially opposite thefirst switch.
 13. The dental tool of claim 1, wherein the two or moretool attachments comprise two or more of: a bristle brush toolattachment; an orthodontic brush tool attachment; a scaler toolattachment; a scaler with mirror tool attachment; a scraper toolattachment; a scraper with mirror tool attachment; a mirror toolattachment; or an interproximal brush tool attachment.
 14. The dentaltool of claim 1, wherein the two or more tool attachments comprise anorthodontic brush tool attachment comprising two sets of bristles thatare laterally separated from each other, wherein bristles within eachset increase in length from an outer later edge of the orthodontic brushtool attachment to an inner lateral portion of the orthodontic brushtool attachment.
 15. A dental tool comprising: a main body portionhaving a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, whereinthe first end and the second end define respective reduced diameterportions; two or more tool attachments, each tool attachment comprisinga working portion and a base portion, the base portion configured to beremovably coupled to either of the reduced-diameter portions of the mainbody portion so as to secure the tool attachment to the main bodyportion; and a light source, disposed within the main body portion,arranged so as to illuminate the working portion of one of the toolattachments when the one of the tool attachments is coupled to the firstend of the main body portion and the light source is electricallycoupled to a power source; wherein the two or more tool attachmentscomprise a scaler tool attachment, the scaler tool attachment comprisinga removable working tip that is insertable into a receiving formation ofa neck of the scaler tool attachment, the removable working tipcomprising a lateral protrusion, wherein the receiving formation definestwo or more recesses configured to receive the lateral protrusion of theworking tip, whereby the removable working tip may be coupled in two ormore positions relative to the neck.